I don’t know enough about mushrooms to be very fond of them – especially after watching that apocalyptic HBO series. But these fungi found in a Petersham forest are all quite beautiful. Hopefully, none will mutate and destroy mankind over a weekend. Aquene, Cher Continue reading The Mushrooms of Petersham
Motherwort, cedar, amaranth, black walnut, Joe Pye weed, and others. The Farm at Pequoig is always full of life and medicine. Aquene, Cher Continue reading Herbal Beauties at the Nipmuc Farm
I visited the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary a few times this past fall. Norcross exists on traditional Nipmuc homelands and, as a Nipmuc woman, I possess the ancient right to forage there. Our women’s group also visited one day to gather cranberries and cedar. During my visits, I gathered medicinal plants to be added to teas and salves. I also gathered cedar for ceremonial use. I … Continue reading Fall Foraging
My friend Anika Lopes from Ancestral Bridges is also a talented milliner. She gifted me with this beautiful hand-stitched hat yesterday. I added the beaded-on-birch bark hat band. I think I’ll wear it both ways! Aquene, Cher Continue reading my new hat
I’ve had this site for some years but never promoted it. Omeka is a free, open-source platform that allows you to display collections as well as stories that explain the collections. I use it in the opposite manner – I tell stories and add documents or videos to support the stories. If you visit ‘We Never Left’, you can download the photos and documents that … Continue reading Check out my Omeka Site!!
I have been working on an field guide to herbal/plant medicine in Nipmuc Country (central MA, northwest RI, northeast CT). I put the book aside for a couple of years during covid since working at a hospital didn’t leave much free time or relaxed time to write. Why this Guide? Our Nipmuc ancestors used plants to maintain their health and bring balance into their lives. … Continue reading Moskehtu (medicine)
I made this ribbon skirt some years ago for a women’s full moon ceremony. It was the first ribbon skirt that I sewed and it has a few flaws that are better covered up. So I made a light pink overlay so I could wear it with confidence. I began this wall hanging more than 20 years ago. I found it wrapped in tissue in … Continue reading Finally finishing old projects
Cheryll Toney Holley 